Synthetic hair crimper

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a manual device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of the arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, the mold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operative position, at least one of the mold portions having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in the corresponding mating surface, each of the cavities having a different size, the mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of the cavities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to hair and more particularly tomethods of preparing synthetic hair, such as for example synthetic hairbraids.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Synthetic fibers have been used in wigs for many years. Morerecently, synthetic fibers have been introduced as synthetic braidswhich can be intermingled with natural hair to create a new and popularfashion trend. However, the braids must first be finished past thelength of the natural hair, by being cut to an appropriate length andthen singed, so they do not unravel.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel toolfor the preparation of synthetic hair braids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Briefly stated, the invention involves a device for crimpingsynthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms,each of said arms supporting one of a pair of mold portions capable ofwithstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, saidmold portions having mating surfaces which abut one another when thedevice is in an operative position, at least one of the mold portionshaving a plurality of braid-receiving cavities located in thecorresponding mating surface, said mating surfaces being arranged, inthe operative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excesssynthetic hair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

[0007] In another of its aspects, the present invention provides amanual device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair ofscissored first and second arms, each of the arms supporting one of apair of mold portions which, when sufficiently externally heated, arecapable of cutting and singeing a braid of synthetic hair when the armsare scissored together.

[0008] Preferably, the mold portions are made of cast materials, suchaluminum, zinc, iron, or copper or alloys thereof. The arms may be madefrom materials such as steel, which may be stainless or may be paintedor otherwise coated or decorated. The arms may also be stainless steeland coated by metallic coatings such as nickel coatings. The moldportions may also be aluminum alloys which may also be coated bymetallic coatings such as nickel coatings. Selected ones of thesecoatings can have a low friction finish leading to favourable‘non-stick’ properties which can reduce damage to the braid when beingremoved from the device.

[0009] Desirably, the device has hand grip portion molded or otherwisefixed on each arm, which will be appropriately formed for the user'scomfort.

[0010] In one embodiment, each mold portion includes a pair of memberspositioned on opposite sides of the arm which are removably fastenedtogether. The mold members have complementary surface portions whichcooperate to cut the braid of synthetic hair. At least one of the moldmembers, preferably both, have a plurality of cavities of differentsizes or diameters to receive braids of different sizes.

[0011] In still another of its aspects, there present invention providesa method of crimping braided synthetic hair using the device as abovedescribed.

[0012] In still another of its aspects, there is provided a device forpreparing synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first andsecond arm means, each of said arm means supporting one of a pair ofmold means capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for meltingsynthetic hair, said mold means having mating surface means which abutone another when the device is in an operative position, at least one ofthe mold means having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities located inthe corresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having adifferent size, said mating surface means being arranged, in theoperative position, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetichair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

[0013] In one embodiment, the mold means includes a mold portion whichis removably mounted on a corresponding supporting arm means.

[0014] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides ahair crimping kit, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms,each of the arms having a free end, a plurality of pairs of moldportions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for meltingsynthetic hair, each pair of mold portions having mating surfaces whichabut one another when the device is in an operative position, each pairof mold portions being removably mounted to the arms.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least one pair of the mold portions areprovided with a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in thecorresponding mating surface, each of the cavities having a differentsize, the mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, toterminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braidbeyond one of the cavities.

[0016] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides amanual device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair ofscissored first and second arms, each of said arms supporting one of apair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperatures necessary formelting synthetic hair, said mold portions having mating surfaces whichabut one another when the device is in an operative position, each ofsaid mold portions having a plurality of braid-receiving cavitieslocating in the corresponding mating surface, each of said cavitieshaving a different size, said mating surfaces being arranged, in theoperative position, to terminate the braid by squeezing excess synthetichair in the braid beyond one of said cavities.

[0017] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides amethod for crimping synthetic hair, comprising:

[0018] a step for providing a pair of molds on a pair of arms and whichare capable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetichair, the molds having complementary mating surfaces, at least one ofwhich having a number of differently sized cavities therein;

[0019] a step for heating the molds;

[0020] a step for selecting one of the cavities;

[0021] a step for inserting a synthetic hair braid in the selectedcavity;

[0022] a step for bringing the molds to their operative position withthe complementary surfaces brought into abutment, to squeeze excesssynthetic hair therebetween away from the cavity, wherein the braid isshaped in the cavity; and

[0023] a step for releasing the molds from their operative position.

[0024] In still another of its aspects, the present invention provides amethod for crimping synthetic hair, comprising the steps of:

[0025] providing a pair of molds on a pair of arms and which are capableof withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, themolds having complementary mating surfaces, at least one of which havinga number of differently sized cavities therein;

[0026] heating the molds;

[0027] selecting one of the cavities;

[0028] inserting a synthetic hair braid in the selected cavity;

[0029] bringing the molds to their operative position with thecomplementary surfaces brought into abutment, to squeeze excesssynthetic hair therebetween away from the cavity, wherein the braid isshaped in the cavity; and

[0030] releasing the molds from their operative position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Several preferred embodiments of the present invention will nowbe described, by way of example only, with reference to the appendeddrawing in which:

[0032]FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a device for preparingsynthetic braids;

[0033]FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective views of a device of FIG. 1 in anopen position;

[0034]FIGS. 5 through 7 are upper plan, side and lower plan viewsrespectively of the device of FIG. 1; and

[0035]FIG. 8 is an assembly view of the device of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] Referring to the figures, particularly FIGS. 4 and 8, there isprovided a manual device 10 for preparing synthetic hair, having a pairof scissored first and second arms 12, 14, each of the arms supportingone of a pair of mold portions 16, 18 which, when sufficientlyexternally heated, are capable of cutting and singeing a braid ofsynthetic hair, when the arms are scissored together. The arms may bemade from materials such as steel, which may be stainless or may bepainted or otherwise coated. Preferably, the mold portions are made of acast materials, such aluminum, zinc, iron, or copper or alloys thereof.

[0037] In one example, the device has first and second arms which aremade from SS304 stainless steel which has been coated with a nickelcoating known as NEDOX at a thickness of 0.05+/−0.02 mm. The moldportions are cast A124-F aluminum alloy also coated with nickel coatingis NEDOX. In both cases, the nickel coating provides reduced frictionand increased heat resistance.

[0038] Desirably, the device has a hand grip portion 20, 22 formed oneach arm 12, 14, preferably by molding plastics or other materialsthereon, which will be appropriately formed to be of comfort to theuser.

[0039] Each mold portion includes a pair of members 16 a, 16 b, 18 a, 18b positioned on opposite sides of the arm which are removably fastenedtogether by way of fasteners 16 c, 18 c. The mold members havecomplementary surface portions which cooperate to cut the braid ofsynthetic hair. At least one of the mold members, preferably both, havea plurality of cavities of different diameters to receive the braid.

[0040] The mold portions are significant because they may be heatedexternally, as for example, by using an oven of the type currently usedin hair salons. The device is beneficial because it is less expensivethan other plug or flame heated devices. The mold portions are ofsufficient size that they are capable of retaining sufficient heat toprepare one or a number of braids without having to be reheated.

[0041] Each mold portion 16 a, 18 a has a plurality of cavities 22 a, 22b of different diameters to receive the braid therein, wherein thecavities of one mold member are open to the cavities of the other moldmember. The mold portion 16 a has a concave inner surface 24 a, whilethe mold portion 18 a has a convex inner surface 24 b. In this case, thecavities 22 a are located within the concave inner surface 24 a whilethe cavities 22 b are located within the convex inner surface 24 b.

[0042] The device 10 may be used for the finishing an end of a braid,made from a synthetic fibre such as that known by the trade nameKANEKALON, though other synthetic fibers may also be suitable and whichare capable of being cut and singed with normal heating temperaturessuch as, for example, a range of about 150 to 200 degrees Celsius.

[0043] The device is placed near a heating element, for example thosewhich resemble a mini pizza oven, that currently exist in professionalhair salons, at a temperature ranging from about 150 to 200 degreesCelsius, for sufficient period of time for the mold portions to reachthe ambient temperature of this range. After this time period, thedevice may be left in the oven while the braids are prepared to a pointabout two inches past their desirable length and beyond the length ofthe client's natural hair. The heated device is then applied to thebraid so that the braid is aligned with the appropriate one of threecavities provided for in the mold portions. In this case, the correctcavity may be the cavity which has a slightly smaller diameter than thebraid. The arms are then scissored together to their operative positionwhich results in the braid being slightly compressed by the cavity andtherefore molded into the slightly tapered shape thereof.

[0044] The convex and concave surfaces are complementary, allowing forthem to abut one another when the arms are in the operative position asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Any hair that is located outside the cavity andbetween the convex and concave surfaces is squeezed away from thecavity. Though not necessary in all cases, the convex and concavesurfaces, in this example, may provide a clean end on the molded braidand thereby avoids the jagged edge that can be formed by knife edges. Asa result, the braid is shaped or molded by the cavity. This process maybe repeated as desired and the device reheated when necessary. It will,of course, be understood that other embodiments of the present inventionmay not provide the clean end as is provided in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0045] Thus, the device 10 offers a number of benefits. It is relativelysimple to operate and economical to produce. It is heated externally bymeans of an oven or the like and therefore eliminates the need for aninternal heating element. The device is able to melt and mold the braidend while also cleanly removing excess synthetic hair by the squeezingaction of the complementary convex and concave surfaces.

[0046] The cavities may either be slightly tapered or not, depending onthe type of shape desired for the braid.

[0047] The device 10 may also be packaged as a kit including a number ofalternative mold portions with different cavity sizes and the like,thereby providing for interchangeable mold portions which will offerstill more flexibility to the user. The alternative mold portions areillustrated, for example, in dashed lines in FIG. 3.

In the claims:
 1. A device for crimping synthetic hair, comprising apair of scissored first and second arms, each of said arms supportingone of a pair of mold portions capable of withstanding temperaturesnecessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold portions having matingsurfaces which abut one another when the device is in an operativeposition, at least one of the mold portions having a plurality ofbraid-receiving cavities located in the corresponding mating surface,said mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, toterminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braidbeyond one of said cavities.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1 whereinthe mold portions are made of cast materials.
 3. A device as defined inclaim 1 wherein the mold portions are cast from aluminum, zinc, iron, orcopper or alloys thereof.
 4. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein themold portions are made from aluminum alloy materials.
 5. A device asdefined in claim 4 wherein the mold portions are coated with a metalliccoating.
 6. A device as defined in claim 1 wherein the arms are made ofstainless steel.
 7. A device as defined in claim 1, further comprising ahand grip portion formed on each arm.
 8. A device as defined in claim 7wherein the hand grip portion is molded on the arm.
 9. A device asdefined in claim 7 wherein each arm is metallic and the hand grip isformed from plastic materials.
 10. A device as defined in claim 1wherein each mold portion includes a pair of members positioned onopposite sides of said arm.
 11. A device as defined in claim 10 whereinthe members are removably fastened together.
 12. A device as defined inclaim 1 wherein the mold members have complementary surface portionswhich cooperate to cut the braid of synthetic hair.
 13. A device asdefined in claim 1 wherein at least one of the mold members includes aplurality of cavities of different diameters to receive the braid.
 14. Adevice as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said mold members includesa plurality of cavities of different diameters to receive the braid,wherein the cavities of one mold member are open to the cavities of theother mold member.
 15. A method of crimping braided synthetic hair usingthe device of claim
 1. 16. A manual device for preparing synthetic hair,comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of said armssupporting one of a pair of mold portions capable of withstandingtemperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, said mold portionshaving mating surfaces which abut one another when the device is in anoperative position, each of said mold portions having a plurality ofbraid-receiving cavities locating in the corresponding mating surface,each of said cavities having a different size, said mating surfacesbeing arranged, in the operative position, to terminate the braid bysqueezing excess synthetic hair in the braid beyond one of saidcavities.
 17. A device as defined in claim 16 wherein each mold portionis removably mounted on a corresponding supporting arm.
 18. A haircrimping kit, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, eachof said arms having a free end, a plurality of pairs of mold portionscapable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetichair, each pair of mold portions having mating surfaces which abut oneanother when the device is in an operative position, each pair of moldportions being removably mounted to the arms.
 19. A kit as defined inclaim 18 wherein at least one pair of said mold portions are providedwith a plurality of braid-receiving cavities locating in thecorresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having a differentsize, said mating surfaces being arranged, in the operative position, toterminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair in the braidbeyond one of said cavities.
 20. A manual device for crimping synthetichair, comprising a pair of scissored first and second arms, each of saidarms supporting one of a pair of mold portions which, when sufficientlyexternally heated, are capable of cutting and singeing a braid ofsynthetic hair when the arms are scissored together.
 21. A device forcrimping synthetic hair, comprising a pair of scissored first and secondarm means, each of said arm means supporting one of a pair of mold meanscapable of withstanding temperatures necessary for melting synthetichair, said mold means having mating surface means which abut one anotherwhen the device is in an operative position, at least one of the moldmeans having a plurality of braid-receiving cavities located in thecorresponding mating surface, each of said cavities having a differentsize, said mating surface means being arranged, in the operativeposition, to terminate the braid by crushing excess synthetic hair inthe braid beyond one of said cavities.
 22. A method for crimpingsynthetic hair, comprising: a step for providing a pair of molds on apair of arms and which are capable of withstanding temperaturesnecessary for melting synthetic hair, the molds having complementarymating surfaces, at least one of which having a number of differentlysized cavities therein; a step for heating the molds; a step forselecting one of the cavities; a step for inserting a synthetic hairbraid in the selected cavity; a step for bringing the molds to theiroperative position with the complementary surfaces brought intoabutment, to squeeze excess synthetic hair therebetween away from thecavity, wherein the braid is shaped in the cavity; and a step forreleasing the molds from their operative position.
 23. A method forcrimping synthetic hair, comprising the steps of: providing a pair ofmolds on a pair of arms and which are capable of withstandingtemperatures necessary for melting synthetic hair, the molds havingcomplementary mating surfaces, at least one of which having a number ofdifferently sized cavities therein; heating the molds; selecting one ofthe cavities; inserting a synthetic hair braid in the selected cavity;bringing the molds to their operative position with the complementarysurfaces brought into abutment, to squeeze excess synthetic hairtherebetween away from the cavity, wherein the braid is shaped in thecavity; and releasing the molds from their operative position.